Representative team returns from eye-opening two-week India tour

Northern District Cricket Club’s under-15 tour team have returned from their whirlwind trip to India as both better players and more worldly young men.

Ryan Swain from the Coaches’ Association / Northern District CC U15 team (Sydney) and Zenith Sachdev from the Bombay Police Gymkhana U15 academy team (Mumbai).

• Federal government commits further $500,000 for new clubhouse at Ern Holmes Oval, Pennant Hills
• Northern District Cricket Club under-15 rep squad ready for two-week tour of India

Northern District Cricket Club’s under-15 tour team have returned from their whirlwind trip to India as both better players and more worldly young men.

Organised with the Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai and Hills District Cricket Coaches Association, the 13-strong squad spent two weeks travelling throughout Mumbai, Jaipur, Agra and Delhi, playing seven matches against local representative teams.

Coaches Association president Bruce Wood said the team performed really well throughout the two weeks, coming away with three wins and only two losses.

“Our team came up against some very talented Indian teams,” Mr Wood said.

“The best batsman on tour was Cameron Tunks, who scored 217 runs at a 54.2 average. The leading bowler was leg-spinner, Oliver Jennings, who took nine wickets at a 10.4 average and the top all-rounder was Spencer White who scored 195 runs at a 48.8 average and took seven wickets.”

The representative team travelled across Mumbai, Jaipur, Agra and Delhi during their two-week tour.

While the team showed a lot of growth on the field, it was their off-field activities that really opened their eyes.

“The team witnessed first-hand what an amazing country India is with its contrasting culture, classes and lifestyles,” Mr Wood said.

“The group visited Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Agra, an orphanage with 270 residents (people with disabilities, parentless or abandoned children, etc) and a staff of 10 Sisters. This certainly put things into perspective and one could not come away unmoved by the circumstances of the children and humbled by the dedication of the Sisters who work there seven days a week.

“Everyone had an amazing experience, both on and off the cricket field. It was a memorable journey that the players, coaches and supporters will never forget and will be able to share fond memories of for the rest of our lives.”